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Oregon NMEA output


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I am trying to interface my Oregon with a VHF radio that can accept NMEA data. I need the pinout for the Oregon's connector (Mini-:unsure: and also, to know if I need to short out 2 pins to get the Oregon to start sending NMEA data or simply set it up in the menu's

 

Anyone... ?

 

You can't just short a couple of pins. The Oregon only supports USB, not the RS-232 signal the radio expects.

You can use Garmin Spanner to create a virtual serial port on your computer, but it's still transmitting over USB. You'll have to use a computer in the middle that receives the NMEA data stream from Garmin Spanner and spits it back out a serial port, build a converter using a microcontroller, or get a GPS that supports RS-232 serial like the Garmin GPSMap 60 series. You might also be able to find an older Trimble serial GPS puck - basically just a GPS chipset and a battery that spits out NMEA over serial.

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Actually, guys, the Oregon has some voodoo in the electronics of that interface. My read of http://garmin.blogs.com/softwareupdates/20...and-oregon.html and https://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/message...ew/home/5075415 is that the Oregon and CO allow the output of plain ole serial over the USB connector. This does make them rather unique. gpsklaus explains the electronics on page 4 of that wikispaces page.

 

Edited for coherency.

Edited by robertlipe
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Those are the pages I found and was trying to "follow" their lead...

 

 

Actually, guys, the Oregon has some voodoo in the electronics of that interface. My read of http://garmin.blogs.com/softwareupdates/20...and-oregon.html and https://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/message...ew/home/5075415 is that the Oregon and CO allow the output of plain ole serial over the USB connector. This does make them rather unique. gpsklaus explains the electronics on page 4 of that wikispaces page.

 

Edited for coherency.

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Actually, guys, the Oregon has some voodoo in the electronics of that interface. My read of http://garmin.blogs.com/softwareupdates/20...and-oregon.html and https://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/message...ew/home/5075415 is that the Oregon and CO allow the output of plain ole serial over the USB connector. This does make them rather unique. gpsklaus explains the electronics on page 4 of that wikispaces page.

 

Edited for coherency.

 

I stand corrected, if anybody knows their GPS interfaces the Chief Babel-Head should! Digging through the links robertlipe posted turned up some info from this page:

 

Here is pinning of OREGON/COLORADA Mini-B USB connector for people willing to make their own cable ( but don't blame me for spoiling your receiver after making any mistake ):

 

Pin1: +5V-In ( external supply voltage )

Pin2: ser. data in ( TTL about 2Vpp )

Pin3: ser. data out ( TTL about 2Vpp )

Pin4: mode sens ( 12KOhm against ground )

Pin5: ground

For conversion to RS232 level i did use MAX3232 operating with 3.3V supply voltage.

 

Klaus

 

It looks like the trick is pulling pin 4 to ground through a 12K Ohm resistor. You will probably need to use a MAX3232 like Klaus suggests so your voltages are at the proper levels. Huh. Makes me wish I'd saved up more money and picked up an Oregon. Oh well, I kept my 60cx for it's serial port.

Edited by jopasm
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